This signals a major escalation in Washington’s approach to the South American nation.
Speaking to journalists at the White House on Wednesday, President Trump said the move forms part of broader plans to target drug cartels operating in and around Venezuela. His comments follow a series of recent US strikes on boats in the Caribbean Sea, which Washington claims were being used to smuggle narcotics. The attacks reportedly killed 27 people.
“They came in because we had an open border policy,” Trump said. “A lot of these countries, they’re not the only country, but they’re the worst abuser, have allowed thousands of prisoners and people from mental institutions to enter the US. We’re bringing them back, and the other thing is drugs. We have a lot of drugs coming in from Venezuela.”
–Sherwin Bryce-Pease/ChannelAfrica–
